Representatives from all 35 SMILE CITY partners met in Rome from January 28 to January 30, 2026, to reflect on a year of working on the project and to align on future steps. Hosted by CNR, the three-day meeting combined technical progress reviews, strategic planning, and hands-on collaboration to bring our vision of circular infrastructure made from recycled materials closer to reality.
The first day focused on where SMILE CITY stands after its first 12 months, with each work package leader presenting the state of the art of their respective tasks in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, partners took part in sessions about the project from an environmental and health perspective as well as a summary of the mobility analysis carried out at the beginning of the project, a look at the digital tools being developed, and insights into how to exploit project results long-term. A central theme was integration: how innovations in materials, mobility, digital tools, and environmental assessment can work together to support healthier, more sustainable urban environments. Participants explored how cities’ mobility needs are evolving and how SMILE CITY solutions can help bridge existing gaps, especially through future urban living labs and pilot activities.
Day 2 focused heavily on technical topics, with extensive discussions on the Circular Systemic Solutions being developed under SMILE CITY. Task leaders presented the materials and products they already developed using recycled waste and explained how these innovations compared to conventional solutions in testing.
In other parallel sessions, groups advanced the project’s communication plan, environmental data collection methods, digital app functions, and policy-oriented work on social life cycle assessment and recommendations for decision-makers.
On the final day, participants took part in discussions on one of two SMILE CITY Urban Living Labs. Some consortium members worked on “URBAN LIVING LAB 2.3 – Pilot design and planning”, where city partners presented the demo location sites they had pre-selected for feedback and then brainstormed on how to best engage local stakeholders and contractors. The other consortium members were present for “URBAN LIVING LAB 3.6 – SMILE CITY FABER SCHOOL”, the official kick-off event for the SMILE CITY FABER SCHOOL, which focuses on involving young designers in the development of our SMILE CITY e-bike charging stations.
Beyond the packed agenda, the Rome meeting also included social dinners on Days 1 and 2, allowing partners to connect and strengthen their collaboration. As SMILE CITY enters its second year, we leave Rome with clearer plans and renewed momentum to achieve our goals for sustainable mobility.